Case for an air conditioner having an inner machine and an outer machine

ABSTRACT

A case is provided for an air conditioner comprising an inner machine and an outer machine connected to the inner machine. The case comprises a case body and a panel. The case body comprises a hot air chamber communicated with the inner machine and a cool air chamber communicated with the inner machine. The panel is mounted to the case body such that the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber are isolated from each other. The panel further includes an air inlet communicated with the hot air chamber and an air outlet communicated with the cool air chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application No. 09/559,458 filed on Apr. 28, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a case for an air conditioner having an inner machine and an outer machine, in which cool air from the inner machine and hot air to the inner machine are isolated from each other. The present invention also relates to an air conditioner having an outer machine and an inner machine, in which the inner machine is used with a plurality of cases of the type having an air inlet and an air outlet.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005]FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional central air conditioning system comprising an outer machine A1 as the main power source and at least one inner machine A2 installed in one or more rooms and connected to the outer machine A1. The inner machine A2 is positioned in a preset location (e.g., a space between a ceiling and a floor above the ceiling of a multi-story building). At least one air outlet A3 is connected with the inner machine A2 via pipes. The air outlet A3 is flush with the ceiling. Also defined in the ceiling is at least one air inlet A4 that is located corresponding to the air outlet A3. A panel and a filtering net are mounted in the air inlet A4 to filter hot air to be circulated to the inner machine A2.

[0006] However, no pipe is provided to guide the hot air to the inner machine A2. As a result, the hot air staying in the space between the ceiling and the floor may reenter the room, thereby adversely affecting the cooling effect. In addition, no filter means is provided in the inlet of the inner machine such that suspended particles and other contaminant in the hot air may enter the inner machine A2, which would damage the inner machine A2. In addition, the suspended particles and other contaminant in the hot air may reenter the room via the air outlet A3. The air quality is thus poor. A solution to solve this problem is to provide pipes for guiding hot air from the air inlet A4 to the inner machine A2, which results in an increase in the cost. Furthermore, several air inlets and outlets are required for an air blower of an air conditioner embedded in the ceiling, which adversely affects the aesthetic appearance of the ceiling.

[0007]FIG. 2 illustrates another conventional air conditioner comprising an outer machine 1 and an inner machine 2. The inner machine 2 includes a panel 22 having a plurality of air outlets 20 and an air inlet 21. The integral design of the inner machine 2 incorporating the air outlets 20 and the air inlet 21 provides an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, several inner machines 2 are required in a large room, which results in a dramatic increase in the cost. In addition, operational noise from the inner machine 2 is annoying, as the inner machine 2 is located right next to the panel 22 having the air outlets 20 and the air inlet 21. Assembly, maintenance, cleaning, and transportation of the inner machine 2 are labor-intensive and time-consuming, and sometimes risky to safety of the workers. This problem is aggravated when there are several inner machines 2 in a large room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a case for an air conditioner having an inner machine and an outer machine, in which cool air from the inner machine and hot air to the inner machine are isolated from each other. Thus, suspended particles and other contaminant in the hot air cannot enter the room to be cooled via an air inlet in a panel of the case, thereby improving the quality of cool air outputted via the air outlet.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner having an outer machine and an inner machine, in which the inner machine is used with a plurality of cases of the type having an air inlet and an air outlet. Thus, the overall cost for the air conditioner is reduced, and the maintenance and repair for the inner machine are easy.

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a case for an air conditioner comprising an inner machine and an outer machine connected to the inner machine. The case comprises a case body and a panel. The case body comprises a hot air chamber communicated with the inner machine and a cool air chamber communicated with the inner machine. The panel is mounted to the case body such that the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber are isolated from each other. The panel further includes an air inlet communicated with the hot air chamber and an air outlet communicated with the cool air chamber.

[0011] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising an inner machine, an outer machine connected to the inner machine, and at least two cases. Each case comprises a case body and a panel. The case body comprises a hot air chamber communicated with the inner machine and a cool air chamber communicated with the inner machine. The panel is mounted to the case body such that the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber are isolated from each other. The panel further includes an air inlet communicated with the hot air chamber and an air outlet communicated with the cool air chamber.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the air inlet includes a filter mounted therein. At least one louver is pivotally mounted in the air outlet. A thermostat is mounted in the cool air chamber. The case body comprises a partitioning plate for separating the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber. The panel comprises a rib in sealing contact with the partitioning plate of the case body. The air inlet is directly aligned with the hot air chamber and the air outlet is directly aligned with the cool air chamber.

[0013] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a conventional air conditioning system.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional air conditioner.

[0016]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a case for an air conditioner in accordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view, partly sectioned, of the case attached to a ceiling.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating operation of the case.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5 and initially to FIG. 3 and 4, a case in accordance with the present invention is provided for an air conditioner of the type having an inner machine 4 (FIG. 4) and an outer machine 7. The inner machine and the outer machine may be of any conventional designs.

[0021] The case 3 in accordance with the present invention comprises a case body 30 and a panel 31. The case body 30 comprises a cool air chamber 301 and a hot air chamber 302 that are separated by a partitioning plate 300. Thus, the cool air chamber 301 and the hot air chamber 302 are isolated from each other. The cool air chamber 301 is communicated via a cool air pipe 36 with the inner machine 4. The hot air chamber 302 is communicated with the inner machine 4 via at least one hot air pipe 32 (two in this embodiment). The case body 30 further includes two opposite connecting sides 34 each having, e.g., two holes 340.

[0022] The panel 31 includes an air outlet 310 that is aligned with the cool air chamber 301 and an air inlet 311 that is aligned with the hot air chamber 302. The panel 31 is attached to the body 30 by means of extending screws 5 through holes 314 in the panel 31 and the holes 340 of the case body 30. A plurality of louvers 312 may be pivotally mounted in the air outlet 310. A filter means 313 is mounted in the air inlet 311 for filtering hot air to be circulated to the inner machine 4 via the hot air chamber 302 and the hot air pipes 32. A thermostat 33 is mounted in the cool air chamber 301 for maintaining the cool air at a pre-determined temperature, thereby preventing condensation of water as a result of encounter between the hot air and cool air. The panel 31 further includes a rib 315 that is in sealing contact with the partitioning plate 300 of the case body 30, thereby assuring isolation between the hot air chamber 302 and the cool air chamber 301.

[0023] In assembly, referring to FIG. 4, the case body 30 is mounted in a space above a ceiling 6 and the panel 31 is mounted to the open side of the case body 30 by means of extending screws 5 through the holes 314 of the panel 31, holes (not labeled) in the ceiling 6, and the holes 340 of the case body 30. The hot air chamber 302 is aligned with the air inlet 311 and the cool air chamber 301 is aligned with the air outlet 310. The hot air chamber 302 and the cool air chamber 301 are isolated from each other by the partitioning plate 300 of the case body 30 and the rib 315 of the panel 31. Orientations of the louvers 312 can be changed to adjust the direction of cool air outputted from the inner machine 4 to the room via the cool air pipe 36, the cool air chamber 301, and the air outlet 310. The hot air in the room is circulated to the inner machine 4 after passing through the filter 313 in the air inlet 311, the hot air chamber 302, and the hot air pipes 32, best shown in FIG. 5. Of course, the flowing direction of the hot air and cool air can be reversed when the air conditioner is used to increase the temperature in the room. In this case, the air inlet 311 would be air outlet and the air outlet 312 would be air inlet.

[0024] According to the above description, it is noted that the ceiling 6 represents an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as the case body 30 is mounted in the space above the ceiling 6 and the air inlet 311 and the air outlet 310 are both provided in the panel 31. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a single inner machine 4 can be used with a plurality of cases 3 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly, maintenance, and repair for the single inner machine are less labor-intensive and timesaving and can be achieved easily, thereby reducing the cost therefor. Furthermore, the thermostat 33 in the cool air chamber 301 prevents condensation of water resulting from encounter between the hot air and cool air. Namely, no liquid water is contained in the outputted cool air. Further, the hot air and the cool air are isolated from each other in the case 3. The suspended particles and other contaminant in the hot air from the room cannot reenter the room via the air inlet 311. In addition, the contaminant in the space above the ceiling cannot enter the inner machine 4 or the room, thereby improving the air quality. The suspended particles and other contaminant in the hot air from the room are filtered by the filter 313 before entering the hot air chamber 302, which further assures the air quality.

[0025] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A case for an air conditioner comprising an inner machine and an outer machine connected to the inner machine, the case comprising: a case body comprising a hot air chamber communicated with the inner machine and a cool air chamber communicated with the inner machine; and a panel mounted to the case body such that the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber are isolated from each other, the panel further including an air inlet communicated with the hot air chamber and an air outlet communicated with the cool air chamber.
 2. The case as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air inlet includes a filter mounted therein.
 3. The case as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one louver pivotally mounted in the air outlet.
 4. The case as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat mounted in the cool air chamber.
 5. The case as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the case body comprises a partitioning plate for separating the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber.
 6. The case as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the panel comprises a rib in sealing contact with the partitioning plate of the case body.
 7. The case as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air inlet is directly aligned with the hot air chamber and the air outlet is directly aligned with the cool air chamber.
 8. An air conditioner comprising an inner machine, an outer machine connected to the inner machine, and at least two cases, each said case comprising: a case body comprising a hot air chamber communicated with the inner machine and a cool air chamber communicated with the inner machine; and a panel mounted to the case body such that the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber are isolated from each other, the panel further including an air inlet communicated with the hot air chamber and an air outlet communicated with the cool air chamber.
 9. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the air inlet includes a filter mounted therein.
 10. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising at least one louver pivotally mounted in the air outlet.
 11. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising a thermostat mounted in the cool air chamber.
 12. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the case body comprises a partitioning plate for separating the hot air chamber and the cool air chamber.
 13. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the panel comprises a rib in sealing contact with the partitioning plate of the case body.
 14. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the air inlet is directly aligned with the hot air chamber and the air outlet is directly aligned with the cool air chamber. 